Major changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will begin February 1, 2026, affecting millions of households across the United States.
The new rules come from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law in July 2025. Federal officials say the changes expand who must work to keep food benefits.
Under SNAP rules, certain adults must meet work requirements to receive benefits for more than a short period. These adults are known as Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents, or ABAWDs.
Starting February 1, the group covered by these rules will grow.
Previously, the work requirement applied to adults ages 18 through 54. Under the new law, adults up to age 64 are now included.
Federal guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirms the change applies nationwide unless a medical exemption is approved.
To keep SNAP beyond a time limit, affected recipients must complete at least 80 hours per month of approved activities. That equals about 20 hours per week.
Approved activities include:
- Paid employment
- Volunteering at a nonprofit or community organization
- Job training through SNAP Employment and Training programs
- Workfare, where recipients work for the state in exchange for benefits
Another major change affects parents.
Before, adults living with a child under age 18 were exempt. Under the new rules, the child must be under age 14 for the adult to avoid work requirements.
USDA officials say this change will impact many low-income parents who previously qualified for automatic exemptions.
Several long-standing exemptions are also being removed.
Veterans, unhoused individuals, and former foster youth under age 24 are no longer automatically exempt. These individuals must now meet work rules unless they qualify for a health-related exemption.
State flexibility is also shrinking.
States can no longer easily waive work rules in areas with job shortages. Under the new law, waivers are limited unless local unemployment exceeds 10%, according to federal policy documents.
Failure to meet work requirements triggers strict limits.
Adults who do not meet the 80-hour monthly requirement may only receive SNAP for three months within a three-year period. The current window runs from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2026.
Once those three months are used, benefits stop until the person proves compliance or qualifies for an exemption.
Some exemptions still remain.
Recipients may still be exempt if they are pregnant, physically or mentally unable to work, caring for an incapacitated person, in substance use treatment, or enrolled at least half-time in school or training.
State SNAP agencies, working under USDA oversight, are responsible for reviewing exemptions and enforcing compliance.
Advocacy groups warn the changes may create confusion and benefit interruptions, especially for older adults and parents unaware of the new rules.
Federal officials say recipients should watch for notices from their state SNAP agency before February 1, as eligibility reviews increase.
For many households, the next few weeks could determine whether food assistance continues — or suddenly stops.
